Sir, - The large-type introductions to articles in your editions of November 6th suggested that the Holy Ghost Congregation was "withdrawing from education". On the contrary, we are ensuring our role in education through structures which involve partnership between the Holy Ghost Congregation and supporters of their schools.
Consequently we have established a board of trustees, consisting of members of the Holy Ghost Congregation and lay men and women, constituted as a non-profit company with charitable status, entitled "Des Places Educational Association Ltd" (after Claude Poullart des Places, founder of the Holy Ghost Congregation). To avoid any misunderstanding, we wish to make it clear that this new structure is not a for-profit, "private firm".
There are currently 47 members of the congregation actively involved in primary and secondary education in Ireland and we wish to assure parents, teachers, pupils, past students and supporters of our continued commitment to the Catholic and Holy Ghost ethos of our schools. - Yours, etc.,
Hugh Boyle, CSSp., Provincial Councillor for Education, Congregation of the Holy Spirit, Provincialate, Temple Park, Richmond Avenue South, Dublin 6.